The problem of diagnostics of coping-strategies in modern psychological measurement

The problem of diagnostic of coping behavior is discussed in the article. Phenomenological features in study and measurement of coping are considered. The analysis of empirical consistency of the scales of coping questionnaires that measure some typical coping strategy is performed. Qualitative analysis of scales of eight questionnaires, accepted in domestic diagnostic practice, is allowed revealing groups of closely related coping strategies: avoidance, search of social support, problem solving, aggression, distraction, self-control. The measuring models of each of the selected groups of coping strategies are built as a result performing exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis procedures, the relation of their elements are discussed. The analysis confirms that some of the groups of typical coping strategies have a homogeneous composition of the studied questionnaires scales. Another part of the groups of typical coping strategies tend to separation into subspecies of coping actions. Thus it is proved that not all coping strategies, that have identical or synonymous name, have identical psychological content. Sometimes the scale of questionnaires have the same name but measure related strategies that are characterized by different psychological nuances in its content and the use of specific coping actions for each subgroup.